Singletrack Circuit Race:  Distance: 49 kilometers, Climbing: 1514 meters, Descending: 1518 meters.
From: www.transrockies.com

Two days of climbing may have taken their toll, but today, TransRockies riders were treated to a few extra hours of sleep. Those at the top of the standings received start times throughout the afternoon, meaning teams had time for a leisurely breakfast, a photography session in the scenic Nipika meadow and a chance to cheer on new friends as they made their way out of the chutes and onto the incredible trail system at Nipika Mountain Resort.

Designed by land-owner Lyle Wilson, today's trail was a big hit with weary riders and the spectacular singletrack was a much-needed reward after two grueling days coming down from the Purcell mountain range and up and over the formidable western slopes of the Rocky Mountain range. Much of today's trail was cut especially for TransRockies by Wilson, and the pride of workmanship and desire to create something both scenic and challenging paid off, as many riders were overheard expressing a desire to return in the future with friends and family.

Highlights of today's stage included incredible remote Rocky Mountain singletrack and the return of summer temperatures after two wet days and an equal number of cold nights. The stage was also lauded for the best scenery of the past three days, as the trail had riders cruising singletrack high on the sandy ridge above the aquamarine Kootenay River. After stage two, which was neutralized due to a huge off- course excursion by many of the leading teams, Stage three's time trial was a chance to start moving around the standing again. Despite a strong challenge from second-placed riders Kris Sneddon and Max Plaxton, the Italian duo of Johnny Cattaneo and Marzio Deho won the second stage with a slim 36-second margin over the local challengers, finishing with the fastest time on the day (2:20:40). Stefan Widmer and Marty Lazarski rounded out the top 3 and held onto the last podium spot in the overall with a very strong 2:24:03 time.

In the Open Mixed division, last year's champs Wendy Simms and Normom Thibeault of Frontrunners/Kona crushed all comers again with a 15-minute win over Team Clif Bar Pro Katerina Nash and her partner Steve Wallace. After only two stages, the Kona duo already has a nearly half-hour lead in the overall. With over 70 teams entered, the 80+ Mens Division always offers some of the closest racing of the Transrockies. This year, it looks like it will no exception as Team Deasgoat duo of Pat Doyle and Geoff Clark closed the gap to Stage 1 Winners Team Wobblenaught with a win in today's time trial. They beat the overall leaders by 20 seconds and closed the overall gap down to a mere 31 seconds. This looks like it will be a battle all the way to the finish line in Fernie.

STAGE FOUR AHEAD
Let's hope teams enjoyed their leisurely Nipika stay--leisurely, that is, when compared with Stage four,  which features 109 kilometers of some of the Kootenay Rockies' most remote terrain, with over 2500 meters of climbing thrown in for good measure. This part of the Kootenays is a well-kept secret for many local riders, and the long day will pay off in spades as the journey through this spectacular mountain oasis will give newcomers an authentic Canadian Rockies epic mountain bike experience.